I am delighted that the young singers of the Accademia can enjoy the place my husband loved. Italy and Castiglione were very important to him. His dream was to hold masterclasses there to hand on to the future generations what it was that he had learned from the masters who had influenced his life and work. We hope with the Accademia we are fulfilling his dream.

Sir Georg Solti, born in Budapest in 1912, was one of the great conductors of the 20th century. Music Director of numerous opera houses, including Munich, Frankfurt, London’s Royal Opera and the Paris Opera, as well as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, his 50-year relationship with Decca resulted in 300 recordings, including 40 operas and his legendary Ring cycle.
Throughout his life Solti never forgot those who helped him and was always willing to assist young musicians at the start of their careers. He promoted several generations of young singers and musicians including Anja Silja, Wolfgang Windgassen, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Frederica von Stade, Leo Nucci, Bryn Terfel, Rene Pape, Angela Gheorgiu and Renee Fleming.